Conway, South Carolina (CNN) - A South Carolina state official and 2008 Romney supporter is endorsing Rick Perry over the former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential race.

State Rep. Alan Clemmons met with Perry after he wrapped up a town hall in his coastal district.
"I'm certainly not taking anything away from Mitt Romney. He's a great man," Clemmons said in a CNN interview. "I just feel that today, Rick Perry has everything that it's going to take in order to return the White House to common sense, to where the Republican people want it to be.

Clemmons, the sole Mormon in the South Carolina state legislature, said he met with Perry in March and encouraged the Texas governor to run for president but he didn't reach his decision to endorse until over the weekend.

The real estate attorney said he served on Romney's 2008 state finance committee and as county co-chair for the White House hopeful, who came in fourth in South Carolina's primary and went on to lose the Republican nomination to Arizona Sen. John McCain.

He said his decision came down to experience between the two governors.

"That kind of experience, when compared to job creation compared to when Gov. Romney was governor of Massachusetts, it certainly puts a big spotlight on Gov. Perry's abilities to put government in its place so that small business and business in general in America can do well and flourish," Clemmons said.

Romney, who will appear at Sen. Jim DeMint's Labor Day Palmetto Freedom Forum Monday, picked up a 2012 endorsement from South Carolina's Treasurer Curtis Loftis who is considered part of the grass roots tea party movement.

Seven presidential candidates are spending their Labor Day in the pivotal early Southern primary state.

Perry was expected to join five other White House contenders at DeMint's forum in Columbia, but he canceled his appearance so he could return to Texas to deal with wildfires there.

soundoff(8 Responses)

I'll bet that Clemmons was offered Secretary of State. To be out of touch like Clemmons, Fox must be the only TV channel they get in South Carolina.

September 5, 2011 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

jerry from Dallas

This Governor will use every trick on the book to avoid public scrutiny. Here in Texas we are suffering after his over 10yrs rein. Unemployment is 8.4% as of July results. It is likely to go higher this month as fired teachers and other government officials clock up. Education is way under funded. We are ranked 46th in the Union. Our Healthcare system/coverage is ranked 44th in the Union. Our infractructure is decayed. About 127 bridges accross the state either need repair or replacement.
Meanwhile, this Governor passes laws to legalise guns in colleges and tax relieve to businesses. Fine, if tax holindays creates jobs, why is unemployment going up at the rate of .3% every month? By next May, this State will be $27 Billion in the tank as per State budget Comptroller. No more stimulus to cover this deficit like he did last financial year when he took $2Billion in stimulus.
Deputy Governor is running for State Senate just as the Governor is running for President. Am I wrong to assume that they are jumping this fast sinking boat?

September 5, 2011 01:28 pm at 1:28 pm |

T'sah from Virginia

["I'm certainly not taking anything away from Mitt Romney. He's a great man," Clemmons said in a CNN interview. "I just feel that today, Rick Perry has everything that it's going to take in order to return the White House to common sense, to where the Republican people want it to be.]

LMAO – to where the "Republican people want it to be."?????????????? Really??? You people from the RIGHT never cease to amaze me. You had the chance to get it right when Bush was in office – YOU FAILED. See, keep thinking that AMERICA wants the White House to be where the REPUBLICANS want it to be and you will LOSE even before you pick your nominee.

Selecting PERRY is what we on the LEFT want you to do!!! Bring it ON!!! And while you are at it – put Bachmann and/or Palin on the ticket too!!!🙂 We will have a field day!!!

Obama/Biden 2012!!!

September 5, 2011 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |

thomas

Great image of an ape walking and whistling !

Needs to be in the natural history museum of anthropology and creationism .

September 5, 2011 01:45 pm at 1:45 pm |

Joe from CT, not Lieberman

So what are these guys gonna do when they finally figure out the necessary Independent voters won't back him? Right now, there are mre Indies than there are Dems or Reps, so neither side can win an election without them. While they may be disappointed with President Obama's performance, they sure don't want some uneducatable, secessioninst, religious fanatic.

September 5, 2011 02:16 pm at 2:16 pm |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

He likes the minmium wage jobs that don't lead anywhere? That is something that should be rememberedd. How can the country advance with people only having minimum wage jobs? That will not help. We need people who have higher wage jobs that move things forward.

September 5, 2011 02:22 pm at 2:22 pm |

Jen

I'm from San Antonio, TX – I cannot believe at the last minute Rick Perry backed out of the Forum!!! He could have flown back to Texas AFTER the Forum...he is such a blowhard. He will not be able to hold his ground in any debate...I hope the people of the US see thru him and give up all this excitement about him. He has really done NOTHING for us here in Texas – I don't even understand how he keeps winning the Govenor position! He cannot CREATE jobs...yes, Texas has been in a good position during the recession, but it was not because of Perry...He sits in Austin RENTING a $10,000 a MONTH mansion...
Now he runs from the "debate"...or questions ... because he can't really answer them...I saw him debate for the Governorship here in Texas and he looked like a deer in the headlights...I guess he "looks good" ... but, people, do not
be fooled .... PLEASE.